Replenishing mechanism for looms



March 20, 1962 H. N. THIBAULT 3,025,888

REPLENISHING MECHANISM FOR LOOMS Filed March 1, 1960 INVEN TOR. HARRISON N. THIBAULT A TTORNEY United States.

This invention relates to looms for weaving, and, in particular, to an automatic bobbin replenishing mechanism.

It is the general object of the invention to provide an improved extractor assembly effective periodically in timed relation with the transfer mechanism of the loom automatically to remove and retain the filling or tip bunch from bobbin ends.

It is a more specific object to provide an extractor assembly of the type which is movable over the end of a bobbin to be transferred to remove and retain a filling bunch therefrom which eliminates any possibility of damage to or displacement of said bunch during entrance of that assembly over that bobbin.

It is a further object to provide an extractor for removing and retaining the tip bunch from bobbins so equipped which extractor comprises a pair of jaw members defining a tapered opening therebetween, one or both of said jaw members being rotatably mounted whereby the size of the opening may be increased as the extractor moves into position over the next bobbin to be transferred and then decreased to approximately the diameter of the bobbin end prior to engagement of the bunch by the extractor as the latter moves in the opposite direction upon an indication for transfer.

Recently extractor mechanisms have been disclosed for removing a tip bunch from bobbins ends of a type which include a pair of jaw members mounted on a reciprocable support which is movable in one direction over the end of a bobbin to be transferred and which upon an indication from the transfer parts of the loom, is movable in the opposite direction to remove the bunch, the filling end of the transferred bobbin being maintained taut in any suitable manner such as by a suction tube. One of the pair of jaw members is usually fixedly mounted while the other is pivotable and bodily movable toward and away from the first to vary the size of the opening therebetween, a spring member being employed to urge the pivotable jaw toward the other. A relatively strong spring is required in order to prevent outward movement of the pivotable jaw during removal of the bunch. On the other hand excess spring tension acting upon the jaws could result in undesirable displacement of the bunch toward the main body of filling as the jaws move into position over a bobbin or in the alternative the excess tension could injure the bunch or sever the connecting thread between the main body of filling and the bunch. Additionally, if a relatively weak spring is utilized, upon a call for transfer the jaws could ride over a tightly wound tip bunch Without effecting removal thereof so that the transfer would take place without the filling end being held in which case a filling stop would take place.

According to the present invention, both of the jaw members are relatively fixed with respect to each other and define a tapered opening therebetween which increases in the direction of the bobbin over which it is to be inserted. At least one of the jaws is rotatably mounted so that the size of the opening and the angle of taper may be periodically varied during the replenishing cycle, this variation being possible due to the offset mounting of the jaw on its reciprocable supporting axis or spindle. The opposite end of the spindle has an actuatable member attached thereto which is adapted to effect the periodic oscillation of the spindle, that member further atet 3,025,888 Patented Mar. 20, 1962 being biased by a spring means in a direction to maintain a minimum opening and maximum amount of taper.

This manner of selectively varying the size of the opening permits the use of a relatively weak spring means so that as the jaws are moving into position over a bobbin end, the rotatable jaw is easily displaced thereby eliminating the possibility of displacing or damaging the tip bunch. As the jaws are moved outwardly to remove the bunch from the bobbin end, the forces exerted against the rotatable jaw act in a direction to urge that jaw inwardly against the bobbin rather than outwardy as in the case of a pivotally mounted jaw, thereby assuring removal of the bunch regardless of how tightly it may be wound.

Further objects and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the extractor assembly.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the mechanism shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the extractor assembly.

FIG. 4 is a View on a slightly enlarged scale illustrating a portion of the mechanism shown in FIG. 1 and with added details illustrating the extractor jaws.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a modified form of the device.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one of the extractor jaws defining the tapered opening.

Referring to FIG. 1, an extractor arm 10 pivoted to swing toward and away from the end of a bobbin to be transferred acts as a mounting means for the extractor assembly attached to it by use of a stud 11 or any other suitable means of mounting. This extractor mechanism is designed for removing and holding the tip bunch 12 for at least one complete pick of the loom. The construction comprises a pair of jaw members 13 and 14 which are assembled at the lower end of spindles 15 and 16 and adjacently assembled in base member 17 as illustrated in FIG. 2. The base member 17 at its upper extremity has a laterally extending portion 18 which houses a spring loaded pin 19 the force of which is constantly acting in a direction to rotate the actuatable member 20 which is afiixed to the upper end of spindle 16. From the laterally extended portion 18 of base member 17 there is a pivotally mounted clamping plate 21 of channel section having a pair of side members 22 and 23 formed along the sides thereof and a button-like protrusion 24 on its face at the lower part of said plate whereby it is enabled to fit partially into the opening 25 formed by the inner contour of jaw members 13 and 14.

A coil spring 26 tends to urge the clamping plate 21 in the direction of the jaw members, the entire assembly of which is mounted on the extractor arm 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3. A pin 27 is fixedly positioned to project laterally from the clamping plate 21 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and serves as a means for maintaining the clamping plate 21 out of engagement with the extractor jaws when the latter are in position over a bobbin 28, as shown by dotted lines in FIG. 3, but which pin releases that plate as soon as the extractor on indication for transfer, swings outwardly to removed the tip bunch and then assumes that position illustrated by full lines in FIG. 3. The mechanisms for actuating the clamping plate by means of pin 27 and for swinging the extractor assembly outwardly by means of the extractor arm 10 are not novel features of this invention and for a complete and detailed description of these mechanisms reference is hereby made to application No. 1,201, filed on January 8, 1960.

The jaw members 13 and 14 are fixed relatively to each other and form a tapered opening therebetween. At least one of these jaws is rotatably mounted the other being fixedly positioned by means of a pin 28 assembled aoaaaaa through base member 17 and spindle 15. If so desired, both jaw members can be easily made to rotate by simply removing pin 28 and adding an additional actuatable member 2 to spindle 15 as noted in FIG. 5. FIG. 5 shows both extractor jaws in a rotated position wherein the opening therebetween has been enlarged while FIG. 4 illustrates one of said jaws in a fixed position and the other being in a slightly rotated position. In FIG. 6 extractor jaw 13 is shown perspectively to define the tapered opening portion 1 3 incorporated in both of said aws.

When the extractor assembly swings back into position over the next bobbin to be transferred after removing the tip bunch from a transferred bobbin, the extractor jaw 14 is rotated approximately 15 to degrees outwardly of the loom or away from the bobbin tip as shown in FIG. 4, thus enlarging the opening between said jaws allowing them to ride over the end of the bobbin 2.8 and the tip bunch 12. with ease. Extractor jaw 14 is rotated by any suitable means fixedly positioned on the loom, for example, a striker pin 3i), FIG. 4, acting upon the extending lug 2.9 of actuatable member 29 in such a manner as to force spring loaded pin inwardly of the extended portion 18. In timed relationship with this motion, the clamping plate 21 is pivoted to the position illustrated by dotted lines in FIG. 3. The extractor jaw and clamping plate retain these positions until an indication for replenishment is made after which time the extractor jaws start to move outwardly and assume a minimum opening therebetween. As the extractor assembly swings further outwardly of the loom for the purpose of removing the tip bunch 12, the clamping plate 21 is released to allow the button-like protrusion 24 to enter the opening between the extractor jaws as said jaws clear the tip of the bobbin. As this button-like protrusion enters the jaw opening it clamps and holds the newly removed tip bunch for a predetermined period of time. This latter is also explained in application No. 1,201, filed on January 8, 1960.

While the extractor assembly has been disclosed as being adapted for use with a swinging mounting means as shown in application No. 1,201, it is to be understood that the assembly may be used with a mounting structure of the type which moves along a line forming a continuation of the axis of the bobbin to be transferred. Movement of the extractor assembly may further be effected either mechanically or by pneumatic means.

While one embodiment and a modification of the invention have been disclosed, it is to be understood that the inventive concept may be carried out in a number of ways. This invention is therefore, not to be limited to the precise details described, but is intended to embrace all variations and modifications thereof falling within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. A filling bunch extractor for removing the filling bunch from the end of a bobbin to be transferred to a shuttle and for retaining the filling end while the shuttle is picked which comprises a gripping means including a pair of jaw members defining an opening therebetween, an oscillatable spindle, at least one of said jaw members being formed as an endwise extension of said spindle, said opening being directed substantially perpendicular to said spindle.

2. The mechanism of claim 1 wherein means is fixed to the spindle for efiecting periodic oscillation thereof.

3. For a loom for weaving wherein bobbins are employed having filling wound thereon an end of which is wound in the form of a tip bunch adjacent the bobbin end, a combined means for removing the bunch from bobbin ends and for disposing of it and retaining the filling end while the shuttle is picked which comprises a pair of gripping members defining a tapered opening therebetween, 'one of said gripping members being fixed to one end of a spindle and the other of said gripping members being fixed to one end of a second spindle adjacent thereto, and means fixed to the opposite end of each spindle for effecting simultaneous periodic oscillation thereof.

4. The mechanism of claim 3 which includes a. clamping member efiective to retain said bunch after its removal from said bobbin end, said clamping member being biased toward'said gripping members.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,039,547 Koechlin Sept. 24, 1912 1,053,123 Diedericks Feb. 11, 1913 1,256,251 Osgood et al. Feb. 12, 1918 FOREIGN PATENTS- 7,424 Great Britain of 1910 

